Championship Round 5
Plymouth Albion 16 Cornish Pirates 8
Saturday 3rd October
NO COMPLAINTS
Sailing through September deservedly and proudly unbeaten, the Pirates always knew that they would be severely tested by Plymouth Albion for the first of a difficult series of matches in October, and so it proved.
The scoreline reflects a close contest, which in general terms it was, but the Cornish visitors could ultimately have no complaints as Graham Dawe's Plymouth Albion side had that extra vital edge on the day.
During an opening period when Albion held territorial advantage, their skipper and fly-half Kieran Hallett made up for missing a relatively easy second minute penalty attempt by soon after landing a much more difficult chance on offer.
The odds on him opening the scoring with a kick from two metres inside his own half seemed remote, but with his show-pony action he struck the ball perfectly to punish early indiscipline by the Pirates.
From the restart the Pirates looked to put pressure on their opponents when wing Rob Cook, who was making his first 'Championship' start, chased a kick by full-back Wes Davies. Progress was maintained through the efforts of returning scrum-half and club captain Gavin Cattle, centre Mark Ireland and hooker Rob Elloway. However, it all came to an end when Albion's Canadian international flanker, Sean-Michael Stephen, put in a thumper of a tackle to leave little doubt that he for one was buying in to what such a 'derby' encounter means.
Before the game there were many who thought that this would be the Pirates day, even if they were missing the considerable influences of injured fly-half Jonny Bentley and back-rower Blair Cowan, but as the game progressed it was becoming clear how difficult a task they faced. Also, they were about to lose the services of injured lock Roderick Labuschagne ,who was replaced by Sam Betty.
Hallett was off target with another penalty attempt, but with a quarter of the game gone Plymouth Albion built play purposefully and with hope of now creating a first try-scoring opportunity. Full-back Gary Kingdom, a former Exeter 'Chief', counter attacked with a run and kick to the left which provided field position sought. Then, by managing to maintain their assault, the ball was moved right where in the corner another former Exeter man, who also played for the Pirates some years back, prop Danny Porte, was driven over the line.
The conversion missed, but following the scoring of the try referee Mr. David Rose yellow carded Cornish Pirates centre Nick Jackson for an indiscretion. It was the first time this season that a Pirates player had been 'carded', it all perhaps indicative of a day when their general control and discipline was uncharacteristically letting them down.
The Pirates had an opportunity to pull three points back, but an attempt from Rhys Jones narrowly and frustratingly missed. Albion's pair of Tongan torpedoes, centres Sione Tu'ipulotu and Keni Fisilau, looked a very useful midfield combination, and following a typical thrust wing Ben Mercer went close to scoring on the right. The Pirates, to their credit, defended extremely well and then took play to their hosts, with Cook and the inspirational Davies to the fore. For Fisilau, it was then a case of impressive one moment, but not the next, as a high tackle on Davies gave another chance for the Pirates to open their account, which they did thanks to Jones kicking the penalty on offer.
Notching up their first points of the afternoon appeared to give the Pirates a lift, with lock Luke Collins playing well once again and Jackson showing the determination required at the tackle area. As the first forty minutes drew to a close both Hallett and Jones mis-cued drop goal attempts, but then, with the very last play, Hallett made no mistake with an outrageous second attempt from several metres inside his own half to make the scoreline 11-3 at the break.
The Pirates could have no complaints, and there was of course plenty of time to get back into this match, but the reality also was that the first half performance was below par to that thus witnessed to date this season.
Play was evenly contested in the opening period of the second half, although a mazey run from Albion winger Liam Gibson set alarm bells ringing. Cook managed to cover the danger, and there was further commitment from the likes of Elloway and Davies. However, this was day when individually too many players failed to perform which made it difficult to attain the collective response required.
When the Pirates were unable to control a bouncing loose ball, Albion pounced to regain possession and sent Mercer off on a run to the line. His dive at the end showed everyone about what it meant to him and his colleagues as the match was likely now won.
To their credit the Pirates did not, and will not lack for commitment, and there was still actually more than enough time to claw things back as both sides made changes.
Replacements Ben Jones and Dave Ward, at scrum-half and hooker respectively, were particularly lively, offering the zip required which led to the Pirates at last creating a try. There was not much room to manoeuvre on the right but Davies, entering the line, held and timed his pass perfectly to send an eager Rhodri McAtee in at the corner. Cook, who had now moved to fly-half in place of Jones, missed the conversion.
In a mighty final effort to at least secure a bonus point, Collins, No. 8 Laurie McGlone and Ireland gave it their all to breach Albion's defence once more, but to no avail. The home side, who in turn had surprised many by deservedly securing a bonus point in their defeat at Sandy Park a week earlier, had shown that they are a developing force. The Pirates had hoped to record just their second win in eight attempts at the Brickfields, but it was not to be. Another day awaits.
Plymouth Albion:
G. Kingdom, B. Mercer, K. Fisilau, S. Tu'ipulotu, L. Gibson, K. Hallett (capt), R. Cushion, K. Marriott, D. Clayton (R. Watts-Jones 60), S-M Stephen (W. Sprangle 61), T. Hotson, T. Skelding (M. Lewis 74), R. Hopkins, J. Clark (J. Owen 51), D. Porte.
Replacements (not used): M. Lee, A. Davies, D. Morton. Yellow card: Fisilau.
Cornish Pirates:
W. Davies, R. McAtee, N. Jackson, M. Ireland, R. Cook, R. Jones (S. Winn 60), G. Cattle (capt, B. Jones 60), L. McGlone, T. Holmes, M. Evans, L. Collins, R. Labuschagne (S. Betty 18), R. Brits (A. Paver 50), R. Elloway (D. Ward 61), P. Andrew (C. Rimmer 60).
Replacement (not used): A. Havili. Yellow card: Jackson.
Scorers:
Plymouth Albion – tries: Porte, Mercer; pen: Hallett; drop goal: Hallett.
Cornish Pirates – try: McAtee; pen: R. Jones.
Referee: D. Rose (RFU)
Attendance: 4,004
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